"The Undead Pool" is the next to the last novel in Kim Harrison's bestselling "Hollows" series. The writer will be doing a talk and signing at the Ridgefield Library on Tuesday, March 4.

"The Undead Pool" is the next to the last novel in Kim Harrison's bestselling "Hollows" series. The writer will be doing a talk and signing at the Ridgefield Library on Tuesday, March 4.

Photo: Contributed Photo

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Bestselling author Kim Harrison is making her first ever book tour stop in Connecticut at the Ridgfield Library on Tuesday, March 4.

Bestselling author Kim Harrison is making her first ever book tour stop in Connecticut at the Ridgfield Library on Tuesday, March 4.

Photo: Contributed Photo

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Kim Harrison on winding down her popular supernatural series

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Kim Harrison's scary and funny supernatural "Hollows" series has gotten more popular with each installment, but the writer is calling it quits next year, with volume 13.

"I don't want to say that I'm bored with it -- because I'm not -- but it is very important to me that (the series) doesn't just peter out," Harrison said during a recent phone interview.

"I just think that I've done as much as I can with it. ... I think I've reached a natural conclusion," the author said of her tales of witch/bounty hunter Rachel Morgan, set in an alternate version of the Cincinnati neighborhood known as "The Hollows," after a catastrophe wipes out much of the human population, leaving vampires, witches, werewolves and other demons of the night in a much more exposed (and powerful) position.

Harrison will make her first-ever Connecticut book tour stop at the Ridgefield Library to talk about the series' just-published 12th title, "The Undead Pool" (Harper Voyager, $20.99).

"She's evolved and her world has evolved," Harrison said of her popular protagonist. "She's made a lot of mistakes, but over (the) three years (covered in the novels) she has matured a lot."

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"I will tell you that I mourned a year or two ago, and there was some panic, too. The `Hollows' books have been wonderful for me, so I did think, `What am I going to do next?,' " the writer admitted.

To ease the transition, Harrison has already completed drafts of two books that will follow the final "Hollows" next year.

When I asked if either of those books will launch a new series, Harrison said, "I'm really keeping things open. (One story) will be spanning at least three books. ... I need to have some editorial input, but I'm comfortable with what I have so far."

The author takes heart from the fact that the first "Hollows" book -- "Dead Witch Walking" -- started very simply and very slowly.

"If I can take a short story and turn it into 13 books, I can do anything," Harrison said, laughing.

Indeed, that original short story sat in a drawer for seven years before the writer had it published. Although Harrison's stories are filled with horror and eroticism -- Rachel feels the sexual pull of both men and women -- one of the most distinctive elements of the series is its distinctive mix of serious and very funny elements.

The ecological disaster before the start of the first book stems from a genetically mutated tomato. Asked to explain that plot device, the writer laughed again before she said. "One thing you have to remember is that I have a weird sense of humor. One of my inspirations was (the 1980 B-movie) `Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!' Tomatoes were one of the first GMO products, but they flopped because they produced a bland tomato. ... I'm glad I picked the tomato, though, because at least once a year there's something in the news about (genetically altered) tomatoes."

As far as her mix of comedy, horror and science-fiction goes, Harrison thinks it's the result of a childhood and teen years spent watching sitcoms and shockers.

Harrison is looking for as much entertainment from writing her books as her fans get from reading them.